* BoE expected to vote 9-0 to keep rates at 0.5 pct

* Economists looking for hints about May rate rise

* UK inflation softer, but wage growth picking up

* Brexit deal reduces short-term uncertainty for economy

* BoE policy statement due at 1200 GMT

By David Milliken

LONDON, March 22 (Reuters) - Britain's central bank is likely to keep on course on Thursday for an interest rate rise in May which would take borrowing costs above their emergency levels for the first time since the financial crisis more than a decade ago.

Last month BoE Governor Mark Carney and his colleagues surprised markets by saying rates might need to go up faster than expected, due to a strong global economy and an inflation rate that is running uncomfortably above target.

No economist polled by Reuters expects the BoE to follow up on its rate hike in November - its first since 2007 - at its March meeting. But most think the BoE will increase borrowing costs from their current level of 0.5 percent in May.

One major stumbling block was removed this week when Prime Minister Theresa May agreed a transition deal with the European Union to leave trade relations between Britain and the bloc unchanged after Brexit in March next year until the end of 2020.

Carney has said interest rate policy will depend heavily on Brexit talks progressing smoothly and not derailing confidence.

Data showing a further recovery in pay growth was also seen as a sign that the BoE was on course to raise rates when it next revises its economic outlook in May.

Sterling hit a one-month high against the U.S. dollar and the BoE-sensitive, two-year gilt yield touched its highest since 2011 after the data on Wednesday.

"The more hawkish members of the Monetary Policy Committee may vote for a hike as soon as (Thursday), while we fully expect a majority to follow suit ... on May 10," UBS interest rates strategist John Wraith said.

Globally, the economy is growing at its fastest rate since the 2007-2008 financial crisis, helping Britain's economy at a time when it is suffering from uncertainty about Brexit.

The United States Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised rates for the sixth time since the financial crisis. Even the European Central Bank - which is still struggling with anaemic price growth - has its eye on phasing out its massive bond purchases.

LACKLUSTRE UK OUTLOOK

The picture in Britain is more muted. Last month the BoE forecast growth of 1.8 percent this year and next - well below Britain's historic average - and last week government forecasts were gloomier, with Brexit exerting a drag on the outlook.